How to Wire a Wall Switch and Outlet

Wiring a receptacle to a wall switch greatly increases the utility and convenience of the outlet. Depending on how you wire the circuit, you can have the outlets both controlled by the switch or operate independently--one controlled by the switch and the other working like an ordinary outlet. Installing a new outlet and switch is a simple home-improvement project that does not take much time and can be done by nearly everyone. This tutorial assumes the installation of a split outlet but can also be used to add a standard outlet and switch.

Things You'll Need

• Electric boxes for new receptacle and light switch
• Light switch
• Receptacle
• Nonmetallic electrical cable
• Plastic wire connectors
• Electrical tape
• Screwdriver
• Fish tape
• Needle-nose pliers

Instructions

1. Shut off the power to the circuit.

2. Locate an existing receptacle that will serve as the power supply. Without disconnecting the wires at the receptacle, remove it from its electrical box. You will thread wires from this receptacle to the new receptacle and switch.

3. Cut holes in the wall where you want to add the switch and receptacle. Install the electrical box that will hold the switch and the box that will hold the outlet.

4. Run two-wire nonmetallic cable from the existing power supply to the new outlet's electrical box by threading fish tape through the new box to the existing outlet. Attach one end of the cable to the end of the fish tape and pull it back toward the outlet. Leave at least 8 inches of wire at each end.

5. Attach the black (hot) wire from the existing outlet to the new outlet. The outlets will have four screws--two brass and two silver. Later you will connect the power supply wires to an empty brass screw on the existing outlet and another hot wire the the other brass screw leading to the switch.

6. Attach the white (neutral) wire to a silver screw on the new receptacle.

7. Thread the wires from the switch to the new receptacle. Mark the white wire with a bit of electrical tape to indicate that it is hot and that it is controlled by the switch. This wire will carry current from the new outlet to the switch. Connect the black and marked white wires to separate brass screws on the switch.

8. Create a wire "pigtail" at the new outlet by connecting all of the black wires (not the marked white wire). Using a small piece of black wire, attach one end to the outlet and combine it with the incoming power supply wire and the black wire that will lead to the switch.

9. Attach the marked wire to the empty brass screw on the new receptacle. Attach the white wire leading from the existing outlet to the new outlet
   on a silver screw.

10. Detach the small brass tab that links the two receptacles on the new outlet if you want a split receptacle. This severs the connection between the two receptacles and leaves one "hot" all the time while the other is controlled by the switch.

11. Attach the outlets and switch to their respective electrical boxes.

References

• "Big Book of Home How-To;" Better Homes and Gardens; 2003

Resources

• Electrical.hardwarestore.com: Wiring a Switch/Outlet Combo